336 3John 9 He applauds the conduct of Demetrius. and not content SECT. even above the apostles of Christ themselves, phes, who loveth to i. hath not received us with becoming regard; have the preemi nence among them, and his interest with some of the members is receiveth us not. much greater than it ought to be. Therefore 10 Wherefore, if 10 if I come, as I hope I quickly shall, I will be I come, I will remindful of the works which he does; many of member his deeds which he doeth,pratwhich are very irregular, while he is continuing against us with ally prating against us with idle, petulant, and malicious words : malicious words; and not content with this, goes therewith, neither yet further in his opposition; for he receives doth he himself renot the brethren himself, though he knows they ceive the brethren, come from us, and hinders those who would re- and forbiddeth them that would, and castceive them, from doing it; and casts [them] eth them out of the out of the church, forbidding them either to church. officiate, or communicate where his influence extends; than which nothing can be more 11 tyrannical or intolerable. As for thee, my be- 11 Beloved, follow loved brother, imitate not that which is evil, but not that which is e vil, but that which that which is good; behold such a conduct as is good. He that his with a just abhorrence; and act according doeth good, is of to that model of humility and condescension God: but he that which you have seen in others, who may just doeth evil, hath not ly claim an authority much superior to his. seen God. He that doeth good, is of God; he knows him, and he imitates his most amiable and spotless pattern but he that does evil, that harbours such malignant passions, and behaves in so injurious a manner, whatever high notions he may pretend to, has not seen God, but is plainly ignorant of his perfections and of his will. 12 * Demetrius, on the contrary, is a most excel- good report of all lent. person,, who has a good testimony from all men, and of the men, and even from the truth itself; and we truth itself: yea, and have also, upon all occasions, borne, and do we also bear record, bear [the same] testimony; and ye know that record is true. this our testimony is true. 13 I have many other things which I should be things to write, but glad to write to you; but I will not write them and pen write unto to you by ink and pen, as it would take up too thee: 14 But I trust I much time, and I should not be able, after all, shall shortly see 14 fully to express myself. But I hope quickly to thee, and we shall see thee, and to speak face to face, with all the speak face to face. convert, who would not admit the Jews; but it seems rather more probable that he was a Jew, who opposed the admission of the Gentiles, and set himself up as the 12 Demetrius hath and ye know that our 13 I had many I will not with ink Reflections on the apostle's conduct. 337 i. freedom we could desire; till that time there- SECT. fore, I refer what I might now further say; 15 Peace be to and only add, Peace [be] to thee, and every de- 3John thee. Our friends sa- sirable blessing from God our Father, and 15 lute thee, Greet the Christ Jesus our Lord. The Christian friends, friends by name. who are here with me, salute thee; and I desire, IMPROVEMENT. How happy was Gaius in the friendship of that apostle, whom verse Jesus had honoured with such a distinguishing degree of his 1 friendship. How much happier still was he, in a soul so thriving and prosperous, that even such a friend, who could not but 2 hold flattery in detestation, should be able to make the good state of his soul, a standard by which to adjust his wishes in relation to his temporal affairs. O what a curse would this be upon many, that they might prosper even as their souls prospered! And yet what is all other prosperity without this, but like that of fools, which destroys them, (Prov. i. 32.) How agreeable is it to a true Christian, to hear well of the behaviour of those who are dear to him in the bonds of peculiar friendship; to hear of their walking in the truth; and especially when these are our 3,4 own children, or those whom God has made us the means of converting, or those whom we have been concerned in training up for him. O that those especially, to whom the education of many has been committed, may have this great happiness. "Visit each of our children, and young friends, O Lord, with thy mercy; animate them to walk in thy truth; and entail thy blessing upon them, when nothing remains, of all the offices of love we have bestowed, but the memory of our exhortations and examples." May sentiments cf true generosity fill and expand our hearts 5 more and more. May we act towards strangers, and especially ourb rethren, in all the instances in which they need our assistance, in a manner worthy of God, worthy of the relation in which we, and they, have the honour to stand to our heavenly Father; and especially, let our love abound to those who have a desire to spread the gospel. And O, that it were more universal! O, that 6 Divine grace would excite more to quit the indulgence of their homes, or their countries, if there be no bond of duty to detain them there, that they may go and preach to the Gentiles! And 7 though there be no prospect of any requital from them, God will open to them the inexhaustible stores of his celestial treasure, and they shall be recompensed in the resurrection of the just. Let them 338 And on the character of Diotrephes and Demetrius. SECT. but see to it, that their intentions are pure, that they do it for his sake : and their labour shall not be in vain in the Lord. i. verse But alas! how much more common even to this day, and that 9 among the ministers of the gospel, is the character of Diotrephes, who loved to have the preeminence! How has the spirit of oppo10 sition and ambition prevailed in the church, as well as in the world! How does it still prevail! and in this view, how many malicious words have been uttered against those who have with the greatest simplicity desired to follow the apostles! With what contempt have they often been cast out of the church! Yea, in a thousand instances, with what savage cruelty hunted out of the world! How long, O Lord, holy and true! Let us not however be impatient, 11 but glorify God, in the most humble or painful station he shall allot, by doing, or suffering all his will: still imitating that which is good, as becomes those who are of God, who hope to see him, and enjoy him for ever. 12 Let us endeavour, like Demetrius, to secure to ourselves a good report of all men; but especially, let us see to it that we reverence our own consciences, and that we secure their testimony, which will be agreeable to that of the truth itself. So will our honour, and our happiness, be secured; and if any vapour should now rise to obscure it, the day is near, when the Sun of righteousness shall undoubtedly chase it away. The END of the FAMILY EXPOSITOR on the THIRD EPISTLE of ST. JOHN. THE FAMILY EXPOSITOR; OR, A PARAPHRASE ON THE CATHOLIC EPISTLE OF ST. JUDE. WITH CRITICAL NOTES, AND A PRACTICAL IMPROVEMENT OF EACH SECTION. |
